I say they either do the EPL thing with 20 teams then begin to expand for an "official" 2nd tier for relegation/promotion purposes, or they do the American sports thing and go for around 30 with no official 2nd tier.

What potential cities should get expansion teams?

I've heard more rumors about a second NY team than anything. There is such a clear absence of MLS teams out east that Houston is in the Eastern Conference. So NY wouldn't be bad for a 20th expansion. That would stop at 20. If the MLS wanted to venture further to 30, I would personally like to see them consider (in no particular order):North Carolina - huge soccer market w/ great youth talent (Raleigh or Charlotte)St LouisMinneapolisArizonatry Florida again (already failed twice) - try a different city, maybe Orlando or Jacksonville?San Antonio - I think would be a surprisingly strong marketanother Ohio team (Cincinnati or Cleveland this time)another San Francisco bay area team (San Francisco or Oakland this time)San Diegomaybe either Atlanta or Detroit, whichever would field more fans

Personally, I think have tiers of 20 teams each is a better option, but maybe the MLS would want to assimilate with the other US sports and go larger.

Is it necessary to have 3 conferences? Look what happened between 2000 and 2001. I believe that a 2-conference 4-division format would be best . I believe that the fans wanna see some new playoff formats like "Division Semi-Finals" (or "Conference Quarterfinals") as the first round, followed by the Division Finals (or Conference Semi-Finals), then the Conference Finals, and finally the MLS Cup Finals.

The only division with reasonable traveling for all teams involved is the North Division, in my opinion. But then again, the MLS doesn't play too many games. Hopefully they'll have more than 24 teams to close the gaps a bit.

The only division with reasonable traveling for all teams involved is the North Division, in my opinion. But then again, the MLS doesn't play too many games. Hopefully they'll have more than 24 teams to close the gaps a bit.

Maybe so. But if the league plans to have over 24 to at least 32 teams, then the league must add more games and re-modify its schedule format structure. Like for instance, play all teams twice (home and away); and another home/away series with those within division and non-division from the same conference.

Major League Soccer Announces New York Expansion Team: New York City Football ClubPartnership of Two of the Biggest Names in Sports, Manchester City and New York Yankees; Club Expects to Begin Play in 2015

NEW YORK (May 21, 2013) - Major League Soccer Commissioner Don Garber announced today that a partnership of global sports powers, Manchester City Football Club and the New York Yankees, has acquired the League's 20th expansion club. The new team will be named New York City Football Club (NYCFC) and expects to begin play in 2015.

"We proudly welcome two of the most prestigious professional global sports organizations to Major League Soccer," said MLS Commissioner Don Garber . "This is a transformational development that will elevate the league to new heights in this country. The New York area is home to more than 19 million people, and we look forward to an intense crosstown rivalry between New York City Football Club and the New York Red Bulls that will captivate this great city."

"New York is a legendary sports town, as well as a thriving global city with a rapidly expanding soccer fan-base," said Ferran Soriano, CEO of Manchester City Football Club , who will oversee the process of filling top New York City FC leadership positions in the weeks to come. "We are thrilled to contribute to the energy and growth of New York City Soccer. In the Yankees, we have found the absolute best partner for developing a world-class sports organization and a winning team that will carry the New York City Football Club name with pride."

Manchester City will be the majority owner of the new Club. As an investor, the Yankees will be an active member of the ownership group. The New York Yankees and Manchester City Football Club have an existing commercial relationship through Legends Hospitality, LLC, an international entertainment, hospitality and marketing organization. Yankee Stadium is pleased to be hosting Manchester City on Saturday, May 25 for a "friendly" match against Chelsea FC, giving New York area fans a rare opportunity to see two outstanding English Premier League clubs up close.

With the MLS will have a 2nd New York franchise by 2015, I guess that Houston should go automatically to the Western Conference by default. Now what's left is that the league should decide to have their conferences divisions or not. Example: Both the East and the West would have 2 divisions of 5 teams each.

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